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Can You Really Sleep Too Much?

For those of us who spend the majority of our days out of bed and on our feet, it seems impossible that there is such a thing as oversleeping! Sure, we sometimes get that blissful weekend morning in bed, but the notion of sleeping more than 7 or so hours a night is a mystery to most mamas. However, slipping into the habit of sleeping too much can be just as problematic as sleeping too little. Studies have revealed that oversleeping can impact our mental and physical health and lead to long-term damage! If you want to avoid the hidden pitfalls of overdoing your solid night's sleep, take a look at the information below to learn more.

Sleeping too much can cause grogginess. Think about those weekend mornings when you lounge around in bed. It's perfect... until you have to go back to your normal schedule the following day! Studies have shown that people who disrupt their typical weekly sleep schedules in attempt to catch some extra zzz's often experience strong feelings of grogginess and fatigue, rather than relief! (via Livestrong.com)

Sleeping too much increases the risk of depression. Although depression is typically associated with insomnia, about 15 percent of people who suffer from depression are actually prone to oversleeping. Regular sleep patterns are an essential part to controlling symptoms of depression, so lingering in bed can actually exacerbate those negative emotions. One study even found that longer sleep duration increased a person's risk of depression symptoms by 49 percent. (via CBS News)

Sleeping too much impairs brain activity. In addition to triggering feelings of laziness and fatigue, oversleeping can also negatively impact your neurological development. A study among older women revealed that over or under-sleeping actually caused a decrease in brain function over a six-year time period! (via Huffington Post)

Sleeping too much can spur migraines. There are a multitude of ways to treat your headache, but experts claim that oversleeping isn't one of them! Research reveals that sleeping too much impacts the neurotransmitters in our brains and messes with our production of serotonin. People who fall prey to a disruptive sleep schedule are often more prone to headaches and migraines. (via CBS News)

Sleeping too much can exacerbate back pain. Long gone are the days when doctors demand bed rest for that back pain! Experts have found that inactivity only worsens the muscle tightness and pain. You should, of course, cut back on your workout regiment, but stretching it out will do much more for you than lazing around all morning! (via Livestrong.com)

Sleeping too much can lead to cardiovascular disorders. Studies have found that people who sleep more than 8 hours a night are more prone to heart problems. One study found that people who overslept on a regular basis were twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease within 11 to 17 years. Another study revealed that women who slept more than nine hours a night were 38 percent more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease than those who slept eight hours. (via Livestrong.com)

Sleeping too much can contribute to diabetes. Multiple studies over the years have shown that people who sleep more than nine hours each night have a 50 percent greater risk of Type 2 diabetes, or at the very least impaired glucose tolerance, than those who kept regular hours. (via CBS News)

Sleeping too much can lead to weight gain. It goes without saying that the more time we spend in bed, the more inactive we become. Those who oversleep are actually 25 percent more likely to gain weight than those who regulate their sleeping habits, so the next time you're debating a mid-morning nap, consider a walk around the neighborhood instead! (via Huffington Post)

Sleeping too much can lead to an earlier death. Although no causation has been determined, evidence suggests that people who sleep more than nine hours a night on a regular basis have significantly higher death rates - about 1.3 times greater risk of death - than those who stick to seven or eight hours. (via CBS News)

Getting your sleep schedule back under control is essential to maintaining good health. If you are concerned about your sleep patterns, be sure to check with your physician about possible solutions!